John Sherrill
Author of The Hiding Place
About the Author
John Sherrill (1923-2017) and his wife, Elizabeth, co-authored numerous bestsellers-classics such as The Hiding Place. The Cross and the Switchblade and God's Smuggler-and traveled the world researching and writing articles and books. Longtime editors for Guideposts magazine, they also co-founded show more Chosen Books. The Sherrills have three grown children, eight grand-children, and four great-grandchildren. show less
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Works by John Sherrill
The Happiest People on Earth: The Long-Awaited Personal Story of Demos Shakarian (1975) 199 copies, 3 reviews
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Reviews
Well, if sitting in Starbucks sobbing my eyes out is any indication, this was a phenomenal book. I’d never heard anything about Corrie ten Boom, really, but both my boyfriend and coworker said their mothers used to tell them stories about this incredible woman and her family.
I read this book for my month of peace, even though it’s not technically about peace. Still, it was one of the most beautiful books about peace I’ve ever read. Corrie ten Boom and her family hid Jews inside their show more home in occupied Holland during WWII. Corrie and her sister Betsie were also instrumental in the underground movement to help Jews escape the clutches of the Nazis. They were a Christian family in the way that all Christians should strive to be — their compassion, love, and overwhelming desire to be God’s hands during an unthinkable horror, despite the consequences. Corrie struggles throughout the book to have peace, feeling at times feeling selfish and unable to pray. Ultimately, however, she comes to deeply understand Philippians 4:11-13:
“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
In once instance, her sister wanted to thank God for the fleas in their sleeping area in the concentration camp. Corrie could not think of a reason to thank God for the fleas, but she did anyway. Later, they find out that the guards don’t come into their sleeping area because of the fleas, leaving the women free to do Bible studies (they had a contraband Bible), pray, and help one another through the dark nights. I was also amazed by her and family’s ability to pray for their captors, for the Germans, for those who treated them as less than human. It was truly inspiring.
Corrie’s story of tragedy and death; beauty and triumph. Even if you’re not a Christian, I’d highly recommend this one. Perhaps it might show you how Christians are meant to live.
Read my full review here: http://letseatgrandpa.com/2012/06/29/book-review-38-the-hiding-place-by-corrie-t... show less
I read this book for my month of peace, even though it’s not technically about peace. Still, it was one of the most beautiful books about peace I’ve ever read. Corrie ten Boom and her family hid Jews inside their show more home in occupied Holland during WWII. Corrie and her sister Betsie were also instrumental in the underground movement to help Jews escape the clutches of the Nazis. They were a Christian family in the way that all Christians should strive to be — their compassion, love, and overwhelming desire to be God’s hands during an unthinkable horror, despite the consequences. Corrie struggles throughout the book to have peace, feeling at times feeling selfish and unable to pray. Ultimately, however, she comes to deeply understand Philippians 4:11-13:
“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
In once instance, her sister wanted to thank God for the fleas in their sleeping area in the concentration camp. Corrie could not think of a reason to thank God for the fleas, but she did anyway. Later, they find out that the guards don’t come into their sleeping area because of the fleas, leaving the women free to do Bible studies (they had a contraband Bible), pray, and help one another through the dark nights. I was also amazed by her and family’s ability to pray for their captors, for the Germans, for those who treated them as less than human. It was truly inspiring.
Corrie’s story of tragedy and death; beauty and triumph. Even if you’re not a Christian, I’d highly recommend this one. Perhaps it might show you how Christians are meant to live.
Read my full review here: http://letseatgrandpa.com/2012/06/29/book-review-38-the-hiding-place-by-corrie-t... show less
For more reviews, visit my virtual bookstore at kismetbookstore.weebly.com.
This is a memoir about Corrie Ten Boom, whose family hid Jews in their house to keep them out of concentration camps. Sounds like an ordinary WWII book? It’s not.
Of all the books that have ever inspired me, this ranks as #1. Corrie doesn’t just tell a story; she weaves in messages about endurance, gratitude, self-sacrifice, optimism, and – believe it or not – forgiveness. (The woman was a saint). She makes show more life beautiful in even the ugliest places.
By the time I finished reading her book of selflessness and bottomless love, I felt compelled to give away everything I own. I didn’t, but the compulsion was definitely there. Instead, I give away copies of her book whenever I get the chance; I need to just buy ten of them now so I can have a ready stock on my bookshelf.
The book is a Christian book, which I liked because she uses Jesus as a model of how to emulate Christ-like behavior. Without his influence in her life, she would not have been the same person and this would not have been the same book. However, her experiences are so universal that this book would appeal to anyone. show less
This is a memoir about Corrie Ten Boom, whose family hid Jews in their house to keep them out of concentration camps. Sounds like an ordinary WWII book? It’s not.
Of all the books that have ever inspired me, this ranks as #1. Corrie doesn’t just tell a story; she weaves in messages about endurance, gratitude, self-sacrifice, optimism, and – believe it or not – forgiveness. (The woman was a saint). She makes show more life beautiful in even the ugliest places.
By the time I finished reading her book of selflessness and bottomless love, I felt compelled to give away everything I own. I didn’t, but the compulsion was definitely there. Instead, I give away copies of her book whenever I get the chance; I need to just buy ten of them now so I can have a ready stock on my bookshelf.
The book is a Christian book, which I liked because she uses Jesus as a model of how to emulate Christ-like behavior. Without his influence in her life, she would not have been the same person and this would not have been the same book. However, her experiences are so universal that this book would appeal to anyone. show less
At 50 years old, Corrie ten Boom lived a simple life with her older sister, both of them unmarried, and their elderly father in a small house in Holland. When the Nazis invaded and occupied their country, Corrie quickly saw the need around her as Jews began to be shipped out. The ten Boom house and watchmaker shop became part of the Dutch Underground, helping those who were persecuted find a safe place, even to the point of building a small hiding place in their own house. In this book, show more Corrie shares much of her life before the occupation, including the faith that led her and her family to help those in needs, culminating in the arrest and imprisonment of many members of her family, and later to her time in a concentration camp alongside her sister Betsie.
This book is incredible in so many ways. It's inspirational, and not only because of what the ten Booms did to help others. It's the reason behind their desire to help, the way that it really wasn't even a question about whether or not they would help, and the way that they affected everyone around them, even in the darkest of places. The strong faith in God that Corrie's parents had, exhibited, and passed on to their children shows through every page of this book. Corrie herself struggled the most in this area, constantly learning from her other family members and being surprised by their heart for the oppressors. Yet she never questioned whether or not she should help the Jews around her at the risk of her own well-being.
Not many Holocaust-related accounts that I have read are from a Christian perspective, and I really appreciated seeing the little and big ways that Corrie and Betsie could see God involved in their plight. Though they never demanded that He help them, they trusted Him (again, Betsie more than Corrie) and gave Him credit when they saw Him work. I can only hope that in my everyday life, and even moreso when times of difficulty come, I can have the wisdom of Mr. ten Boom, the love of Mrs. ten Boom, the hope of Betsie ten Boom, the courage of Corrie ten Boom, and the faith exhibited by all of them.
Below are some quotes from the book that I marked to remember.
Casper ten Boom upon the realization that Holland would soon be invaded:
Corrie discovered that a large piece of sharp debris had landed on her pillow while she was out of bed:
And the one that stuck out to me the most, from an elderly member of Corrie's family who spent much of her life running clubs, writing tracts, always trying to further God's kingdom. When she learned she didn't have long to live, her family members told her she was going to the Father with hands full, due to all of her work. She replied:
This book is incredible in so many ways. It's inspirational, and not only because of what the ten Booms did to help others. It's the reason behind their desire to help, the way that it really wasn't even a question about whether or not they would help, and the way that they affected everyone around them, even in the darkest of places. The strong faith in God that Corrie's parents had, exhibited, and passed on to their children shows through every page of this book. Corrie herself struggled the most in this area, constantly learning from her other family members and being surprised by their heart for the oppressors. Yet she never questioned whether or not she should help the Jews around her at the risk of her own well-being.
Not many Holocaust-related accounts that I have read are from a Christian perspective, and I really appreciated seeing the little and big ways that Corrie and Betsie could see God involved in their plight. Though they never demanded that He help them, they trusted Him (again, Betsie more than Corrie) and gave Him credit when they saw Him work. I can only hope that in my everyday life, and even moreso when times of difficulty come, I can have the wisdom of Mr. ten Boom, the love of Mrs. ten Boom, the hope of Betsie ten Boom, the courage of Corrie ten Boom, and the faith exhibited by all of them.
Below are some quotes from the book that I marked to remember.
Casper ten Boom upon the realization that Holland would soon be invaded:
"...I am sorry for all Dutchmen now who do not know the power of God. For we will be beaten. But He will not."
Corrie discovered that a large piece of sharp debris had landed on her pillow while she was out of bed:
"Betsie, if I hadn't heard you in the kitchen--"
But Betsie put her finger on my mouth. "Don't say it, Corrie! There are no 'if's' in God's world. And no places that are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety..."
And the one that stuck out to me the most, from an elderly member of Corrie's family who spent much of her life running clubs, writing tracts, always trying to further God's kingdom. When she learned she didn't have long to live, her family members told her she was going to the Father with hands full, due to all of her work. She replied:
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"Empty, empty! How can we bring anything to God? What does He care for our little tricks and trinkets?"
And then as we listened in disbelief she lowered her hands and with tears still coursing down her face whispered, "Dear Jesus, I thank You that You have done all--all--on the cross, and that all we need in life or death is to be sure of this."
I have heard much about the little Dutch woman, Corrie Ten Boom, but it has taken me so long to finally get around to her story. The Ten Boom family took in both their Jewish friends and complete strangers to keep them safe from the Nazis during WWII. People would just show up at their watch shop unannounced and the family never turned anyone away. Even though they were just simple people, their extraordinary faith led them to work with the Underground to disguise their communications, to show more build a secret room, to secure extra ration cards and move Jews around the country. They developed a panic button bell system and held drills to see how quickly their guests could hide out of the way. But Corrie and her family were caught and imprisoned. Her father and sister died in the camps. Still she had faith. Still she tried to shine the Light out into the darkness that surrounded her. I greatly admire her courage and her fortitude.
The book is so readable, like you are sitting across the coffee table from your grandmother. I only wish it were longer. I was sad to see it end.
We could never be sure that out line was not tapped. So we developed a system for coding our underground messages in terms of watches...
"I have a watch here with a face that's causing difficulty. One of the numbers has worked loose and it's holding back the hand. Do you know anyone who does this kind of repair work?" (We have a Jew whose features are especially Semitic. Do you know anyone who would be willing to take an extra risk?)
"I'm sorry, but the child's watch you left with us is not repairable. Do you have a receipt?" (A Jewish child has died in one of our houses. We need a burial permit).
"I could not sleep last night," the lieutenant said, "thinking about that Book where you read such different ideas. What else does it say in there?"
On my closed eyelids the sun glimmered and blazed. "It says," I began slowly, "that a Light has come into the world, so that we need no longer walk in the dark. Is there darkness in your life, Lieutenant?"
There was a very long silence.
"There is great darkness," he said at last. "I cannot bear the work I do here."
Then all at once he was telling me about his wife and children home in Bremen, about their garden, their dogs, their summer hiking vacations. "Bremen was bombed again last week. Each morning I ask myself are they still alive."
"There is One Who has them always in His sight, Lieutenant Rahms. Jesus is the Light the Bible shows to me, the Light that shines even in such darkness as yours."
The man pulled the visor of his hat lower on his eyes; the skull-and-crossbones glinted in the sunlight. When he spoke it was so low I could hardly hear. "What can you know of darkness like mine...." show less
The book is so readable, like you are sitting across the coffee table from your grandmother. I only wish it were longer. I was sad to see it end.
We could never be sure that out line was not tapped. So we developed a system for coding our underground messages in terms of watches...
"I have a watch here with a face that's causing difficulty. One of the numbers has worked loose and it's holding back the hand. Do you know anyone who does this kind of repair work?" (We have a Jew whose features are especially Semitic. Do you know anyone who would be willing to take an extra risk?)
"I'm sorry, but the child's watch you left with us is not repairable. Do you have a receipt?" (A Jewish child has died in one of our houses. We need a burial permit).
"I could not sleep last night," the lieutenant said, "thinking about that Book where you read such different ideas. What else does it say in there?"
On my closed eyelids the sun glimmered and blazed. "It says," I began slowly, "that a Light has come into the world, so that we need no longer walk in the dark. Is there darkness in your life, Lieutenant?"
There was a very long silence.
"There is great darkness," he said at last. "I cannot bear the work I do here."
Then all at once he was telling me about his wife and children home in Bremen, about their garden, their dogs, their summer hiking vacations. "Bremen was bombed again last week. Each morning I ask myself are they still alive."
"There is One Who has them always in His sight, Lieutenant Rahms. Jesus is the Light the Bible shows to me, the Light that shines even in such darkness as yours."
The man pulled the visor of his hat lower on his eyes; the skull-and-crossbones glinted in the sunlight. When he spoke it was so low I could hardly hear. "What can you know of darkness like mine...." show less
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